So thankful to be a presenter at Planetree – an incredible organization that has been a pioneer in patient centered health care. We are at their international conference in Chicago where some of the greatest minds and hearts are gathered to inform, brainstorm solutions, and share recent strides in health care.

I was overwhelmed with gratitude for those who came to hear my speech about animal abuse and recovery, and have a discussion. The story began as a result of my deepened relationship with our 14 year old pit bull, Angel. Losing Angel to kidney failure broke my heart, only so that it could be opened to adopt Petunia, another part pit bull, who as a puppy had been intentionally burned, starved, and left to die in a back alley in Baltimore where she was found and rescued. Angel and Petunia inspired me to tell their story and carve a path for animal welfare – It saddens me to even call our animal kingdom “animals” – when it is humans who have acted like what we call “animals” who have caused them the greatest harm.

In my presentation I quote Ghandi who once said, “You can judge a nation by the way its animals are treated.”

We are the voice for the voiceless – and I am thankful to be one of the many voices rising for them.